News Update For Thursday, 6/21/12

Authorities in the Eastern U.P. are reporting the discovery of a dead body in a remote area near Lake Superior yesterday. The Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department says the female body was found along Wildcat Road in Whitefish Township. The death of the woman is being treated as suspicious at this time and an autopsy is being performed to determine the cause of death. No name has been released as authorities are continuing the investigation.
Michigan Technological University’s Board of Control has approved a general fund budget for next fiscal year. At a special meeting today in Houghton, the board approved a budget of $165.5 million for fiscal year 2013, which starts July 1, 2012. The general fund budget includes a tuition increase of 3.9 percent for Michigan resident undergraduates, less than the 4 percent cap set by the state for universities to receive tuition restraint funding. The average tuition for Michigan residents will be $14,448, an increase of $538 over FY2012. State appropriations for Michigan Tech are expected to total $42.4 million, approximately 17 percent of the total University budget. State funding will increase $1.7 million over the current year, reversing a decade-long slide in state appropriations that included a $7.2 million cut last year alone. The increase in state funding enabled Michigan Tech to pass the lowest tuition increase in eight years.
Manistique Papers, Incorporated has received a Michigan Economic Development loan and successfully saved 156 jobs at the company through MEDC involvement. Acquired by MPI Acquisition, LLC (the Watermill Group) and the MSF, participations were paid back in full plus $70,000 in fees and interest. The MSF has entered into a new working capital loan of $2.5 million with Manistique Papers and mBank. Manistique Papers, Inc. utilized the Loan Participation and for 12 months with full interest and principal payments.
Several state forest campgrounds in Luce County temporarily closed during the Duck Lake Fire have been completely or partially reopened to visitors according to the Department of Natural Resources. Areas reopened include Bodi Lake state forest campground and boat launch – which did not sustain any damage from the wildfire – along with the day-use area, bridge and boat launch at the Mouth of the Two Hearted River state forest campground. Tahquamenon Falls State Park also remains completely open for park visitors and campers. All state and county roads in and around the areas affected by the Duck Lake Fire are also open.